Manufacture of printing-plate matrices



E. E. NOVOTNY. MANUFACTURE OF PRINTING PLATE MATRICES. APPLICATION FILED JULY 18,1921.

1 ,41 0,03 1 Patented Mar. 21, 1922.

2 SHEETSSHEET I.

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E. E. NOVOTNY.

MANUFACTURE OF PRINTING PLATE MATRICES..

APPLlCATION FILED JULY 18, 1921.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

JJY. 77a" f H nventoz Emz'ZZfNarobg, $51 elf/ m I UNITED s'rAras .PAr'E-NrjorFl-ce;

11min at NOVOINY, or PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVAN A, assrenon r0 JOHN srodnm sroxns, or PHILADELPHIA, rENNsYLvANIa T 0 all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, EMILE. Novo'rivY, a

In the present instance I have shown and described my invention as used formaking matrices designed for the production of printing plates, but I wish it to be understood that it is not limited in its useful application to this particular purpose. 'For example, by the practice of my invention, matrices for the production of numerous other regular and irregular shapes and articles-ma-y be made.

In the production of a matrix according to my invention, I subject the original article to be reproduced, such for example as an originalprinting plate, type form, etching or the like, to relatively light pressure against a plastic or asty body of metal, preferably an alloy oi a low melting point,

this body of metal being cooled and hardened while the original is in contact there: with so as to produce a matrix which will exhibit and define the exact details of the original and whichmay be readily separated y from the latter. a

Briefly, in the practice of my invention, I may proceed in several ways. For example, I may select a body of metal, such as an, alloy composed of lead, tin and bismuth, which will have a relatively low. melting point,

and subject this to the action of heat until thealloy is partially melted or fused, or assumes a pasty or mushy, plastic condition, the alloy, however, not being heated to the point where'it isin a free-flowing, fluid-like molten condition. When the body .of metallic alloy is in this pastelike, partially melted or plastic condition I place thereagainst the; 7 original to be reproduced, and subject the. two contacting, elements to exceedingly light pressure to sink or press the original into the metal, at the same time cooling the latter to bring it to its original hard condition. After the metal has hardened, the pressure may be relieved and the original readily removed, a-rticularly if a suitable separating agent .used.

Or, if desired, in the practice pf my in- Specification of Letters Patent.

agent to permit the ready removal of th and cooling by the action of air.

vention, I may subject the body'of metal, such as the low melting alloy, to the action of heat until the metal is completely melted or is in a fluid-like, free flowing state. Upon the surface of the bath of molten metal I depositan oily substance, such as paraffin, for the purpose of preventing o dization, and also to act as a separatifi% original after the matrix has been formed.

.Pa't'enteu Mar 21, 1922.

Application filed July 18, I921; Serial m. 485,?28. 1

Upon this coated molten path I thenplace i the original to be reproduced, the faces of the latter being preferably coated first with an oxidizing agent, such as a weak solution of tincture of iodine, or pyrogallic acid, and, then with a thin layer of polished graphitel I then subject this original to pressure; p ref-- erably air pressure, in a suitable press, at the same time. cooling and hardening'the body of metal, suitable bearers being provided to limit the depth into which the original may sink into the bath, suitable side bars also beingprovided to limit the depth of the metal bath, or to insure that any excess of metal forced upward by displacemennmay flow away over these side bars.

vIn the accompanying drawings: Figure 1, is a view in end elevation of aslab of metal, such as" a low melting alloy which may be used in the making .of the matrix. w

Figure 2, is a cross sectional view 'of the slab receivin pan. Figure'3, 1s aview partly in-section and partly in elevationof the conventional type form equipped with bearers for limitingthe depth of penetration of the type form 1nto the softened or plastic body of metal.

. Figure 4, is a view showing conventron ally theplatens of a'press" and illustrat ng the manner of forming the matrix by 1mmersing the t pe form in a bath of molten metal and 'su jet-ting. the, same to pressure Figure 5, is a view illustrating conven-' tionally another arrangement of press and showin the manner of making the matri'x by sub ecting the type form to mechanical pressure while in contact witha pasty or partially melted or fused body of metal. Figures 6, 7 and -8, are cross sectlonal views illustrating forms of matrices which may be made by the practice of my mvention. I

I will first describe the manner of malzing; a matrix by immersinga type form m a molten bath of metal and subjecting the same'to pressure and coolin and hardening under the action of air, an in this connection particular reference is made to Figures 1 to 4 inclusive.

In carrying out my invention, I select a suitable metal having the desired melting point and the ability to assume a past or plastic condition before setting to its nal hard form, my preference bein an alloy consisting of six parts of lead, six parts of tin and one part of bismuth, by weight. Such an alloy has a melting point of about 327 F. This metallic alloy, which may be in the form of a slab such as is shown at 1 in Figure 1, may be melted down in a suitable container, and when the matrix is to be made such molten metal may be run or poured into the an2, shown in Figure 2. If any make-rea y is to be incorporated in the printing plate, such make-ready, shown at 3,'may be. placed on the bottom of the pan 2 before the metal is poured or run into the pan. The pan is preferably provided with over-flow bars 4, so that when the type form enters into the molten metal the surplus metal displaced will flow over the topedgerof these bars and into the gutters 5/ formed b the bars 4 and the sides 6 of the pan. The original to be reproduced, in the present instance a-type form, is indicated as an entirety by the letter T and embodies a combination of half tone and type locked in the usual chase 7 the form also embracing, however, the immersion limiting bearers 8 which are slightly greater than the type high so that when the type form isreversed and placed in the molten bath as shown in Figure 4 the projecting ends of the bearers will extend through the bath of metal and rest upon the floor of the pan, thereby limiting the distance of penetration of the type body itself into the body of the meta In the making of the matrix I also preferably employ a press convention ally shown at P, this press including the top platen 9 and the lower platen 10. This lower platen is provided with channels 11 .for the passage ofa heating agent, such as 50- with an inlet 12 for t steam, while the top laten 9 is provided lie admission of cold air under pressure, an outlet. 13 for the exit of heated or waste air from the platen and a vacuum outlet 14 which may be used when it is desired to reduce the amount of air in the chamber of thepress. The press is also provided withside bearer bars 15 equipped with suitable packing 16 so that when the press is closed, an air-tight chamber 17 will be formed. The air inlet 12 is preferably provided with pulsating valve 19, while the air outlet. 13 is provided with a bleed valve 20 and the exhaustoutlet 14 is provided with an ordinary globe valve 21, these valves being conventionally indicated as they ma be of any ordinary or approved form. he bottom platen '10 is provided with a valved steam inlet pipe 22 and a steam exhaust pipe 23 which leads to a suitable tra (not shown).

I making the matrix the type section of the type form T is preferably provided with a very thin electrolytic film, produced by treating the form in a shallow electrolytic bath, the electrolytic material, however, being confined to the type and half tone section of the form. Thls coating is shown at 24. The form thus coated is then treated to another coating of an oxidizing agent such as a weak solution of tincture of iodine or pyrogallic acid, and is then treated to a third coating or surface coating of graphite, although this is not essential, but the graphite will assist in the ready separation I this time by the passage of steam therethrou h, the heat of the steam keeping the alloy in a fluid-like or molten condition un til the press is closed and the matrix making operation is in progress. Before placing the pan with the molten metal in the press, I preferably place upon the surface of themetal an oily substance, such as paraffin, which prevents the formation of oxides upon the surface of the bath, it also assists in the subsequent separation of the original type form from the hardened matrix. The type form T prepared as heretofore described is now inverted or placed face down in the molten bath, the depth of immersion or penetration of the type form into the bath 'being limited by the bearers 8 of the type form which project through the molten'mass and rest upon the bottom of the pan, These bearers are of such. height, however, as to permit the entire face section of the type form to be immersed in the bath to the desired depth. The press is now closed to form an air-tight chamber within which the pan and the immersed type form are located. The heating steam may now be cut off, and the vacuum valve being closed, because the vacuum is not used in this instance. the outlet valve 20 of the air outlet 13 is opened and air under pressure is forced in waves or pulsations through the air inlet 12 into the chamber, this pulsating or wave-like effect being due to the pulsating valve -19 which opens and closes as is usual in valves of this type. The result will be that the cool air, flowing in pulsations into the chamber will drive the'warm air out through the pipe 13,

7 hard condition, but will punch or compact suitable period, say forabout two minutes.

- at the end of which time the metal will be .ing face of the type form. The air may now be cut off from the air inlet 12 and the press opened and the pan with the now solidified matrix and the .type form may be lifted out and the type form removed. The

latter may readily accomplished, as owing to the layer of parafiin which has been placed upon the metal, and the coatings on the face of the type form, ready separation is obtained. The metal matrix will not stick to the pan because the latter is made of ordinary steel which has no afiinity for an alloy of the character Iuse.

In some instances, instead of first melting down the alloy slab 1 and running it in molten form into the pan, I may place the slab in the pan, apply the paraflin to the face of the slab, and then place the inverted type form in position on the slab and close the press. -The-melting down of the slab in this case will be accomplished by the steam pass ing through the lower platen of the press, but before so melting down theslab, but while the press is closed, the exhaust valve 21 of the vacuum outlet 14 may be opened and vacuum applied to the outlet 14 to draw from the closed chamber and from the spaces between the type, as much air as possible. The melting down of the slab may now take place. the vacuum closed or cut ofl, and the admissibn of cold air pressure and the exhaustion of the hot air accomplished as heretofore described to form the matrix, after the type form has sunk or imbedded itself by graphite into the fused or melted slab. v v In Figure 5v I'have shown a modified ,ar rangement fo making the matrix.

In this case the numeral -indicates the lower, vertically moving platen of the press, while 31 is an upper stationary platen, preferably provided with a steam inlet 32, and asteam outlet 33, so that the platen may be heated if desired. This upper platen carries at one side a stationary'type form clamping bar 34 and at the opposite side a shifting or movable type form clamping bar 35, the latter being shifted in any well-known manner as by means of the rotatablescrew 36 upon which travels the threaded sleeve 37 carrying clamping bar 35, suitable hand wheel 38 being providedfor rotating the screw; The type form T which may or may not have its face coated with the separating medium as aforedescribed is clamped between the clamping bars 34 and as shown and is'therefore held suspended at the under side of the upper platen of the press as shown. Upon the lower platen of the press is placed a base-board 38- of asbestos or other non-conducting material, and upon this baseboard rests a shallow pan 39, in which has been placed a bath of the molten metal, the surface'of the bath having had the parafiin placed thereon as before mentioned. This lower vertically. moving platen is provided with a side bearer bar 40 which is adopted to contact with the stationary clamp 34 when press is closed, while the upper platenof the press carries a bearer bar 41 adapted to contact with the lower platen of the press when the press is closed. 7

When the pan with the bath of molten metal is placed in the press, the latter remains open until the metal has partially soldified orcooled and has assumed a pasty, plastic condition. At this stage the press may be closed and the matrix molded, in this instance, however, air pressure not being used, as the pressure exerted in making the matrix is entirely mechanical and is accomplishedby the vertical movement or closing action of the lower platen, which forces the plastic or pasty mass upward and into contact with the face of the type form, the depth of penetration being, of course, limited by the side bearers. The press remains closed- The press may then be opened and the matrix with the pan removed;

In this connection it is to be understood .that instead of completely melting down the -metallic alloy, until it assumes a fluid-like or flowin condition, the molding may take place after the alloy has been heated sufficiently to reduce it to a pasty or plastic mass,

but not a fluid state. a

In Figure 6 I have shown at M an all-alloy matrix made in the ways hereinbefore described, while in Figure 7 I have shown at M mg of the matrix, and which has adhered stances. Furthermore, I 1

to the matrix body during the molding operation.

In Figure 8 the modified form of matrix shown at M is composed of analloyed body m faced with an electrolytic coating m which was deposited upon the outer face of the type form prior to the molding of the matrix or which might be de osited upon the alloyed matrix body m itse f after the matrix was formed.

Matrices made in accordance with my invention may beproduced with a ver light,

or minimum amount of pressure, an therefore will not damage soft, original type made during the makin but when in their cooled,

and set form suc matrices are capable of withstanding rough usage, therefore e'nabling a large number of repiioeluctions to be economical ymade therefrom. Such matrices may also be used for the re roduction of molten metal. As is well-known, it is out of question to pour molten metal on a type form for, because of the de th of the form, the metal willflow into the eep, hollow portions, thereby producing a matrix of such severe depth as to be worthless for practical. purposes.

In addition, such action would cause the matrix to lock with thetype so that it could not be removed therefrom unless the entire type form was taken a art, which, of course would not be practicab e from a'commercial standpoint.

It will, of course, be understood that instead of using ordinary or relievo type for producing a matrix, I may employ intaglio forms, such as matrices, as the original to be used in making metallic relievo plates by this method.

While I have herein shown and described certain referred embodiments of my invention, wish it to be understood that I do not confine myself to all the precise details herein set forth, as modification and-variation ma be made without departing "from the spirit of the invention or exceeding the scope of the appended claims.

"What I claim is:

1. The herein described method of making a metallic matrix which consists in pre aring a body of metal so that at one sta it is in a mushy, pasty condition, and sub ectin the metal to simultaneous pressure and coo ing, while the metal is in said condition and in contact with the original to be reproduced,

to form a hard and set matrix having a molding face complemental to the contacting face of the original.

2. The herein described method of making a metallic matrix which comprises placing an original to be reproduced in proper relation to a body of metallic matrix forming material, while using a separating medium between the two, and, while the metal is in a pasty or mushy stage, simultaneouslyusing positive pressure and cooling for a. relatively.

short period of time to form the matrix face by contact with the original, and at the same time to rapidly set and cool the matrix, and

to form the matrix face by contact with the original and at the same time set and cool the matrix, and then stripping suchmatrix fromthe original.

4. The herein described method of making a metallic printing plate matrix which comprises placing an original printingelement to be reproduced in proper relation to a body of suitably supported and confined metallic matrix forming material, and, while the metal is in a pasty or mushy stage, simultaneously using positive pressure and cooling for a relatively short period of time, to form the matrix face by contact with the original printing element and at the same time to rapidlvset and cool the matrix, and then stripping said matrix from the original printing, element.

5. The herein described method of making a metallic printing plate matrix, which comprises-placing an original printing element to be re groducedin proper relation to a body i of suita ly supported and confined metallic matrix forming material, and while the metal is in a pasty or mushy stage, simultaneously using, for a relatively short period of time, positive pressure and cooling to cause the penetration of the original print i'ng element into the metallic matrix forming material for a predetermined depth, to rapidly form the matrix face and at the same time quickly set and cool the matrix, and then stripping said matrix from the original printing element.

6. The herein described method of making a metallic matrix which comprises mounting an original to be reproduced in suitable supporting means located in proper relation to "a body of metallic matrix' forming material placed in a suitably supported and confined structure which is supported upon a body of v non-heat conducting material, and, while the metal is in a pasty or mushy stage, simultaneously using positive pressure and cooling to form the matrix face by contact and cool the matrix, and then stripping such matrix from the original.

Signed at Summerdale, Philadelghia, in

the county of Philadelphia and Pennsylvania this 8th day of July, A.- D.

with the original, and at the same time set EMIL E. NOVOTNY.

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